Regina “Gina” M. Gatter, age 56, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at home surrounded by her beloved family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born and raised in Mattapan, the daughter of Virginia (Sullivan) and the late Ralph E. Sweeney, Gina was a 1978 graduate of St. Gregory’s High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Holy Cross in 1982. She and Steve first met New Year's Day 1990. In 1992 the two were married and soon settled in Natick. It was here that they raised their two children. In no time, her eclectic sense of style and design had indelibly imprinted itself in every room, just as her warmth and sense of life enriched her family. For her family, she was an inexhaustible supply everything from hot meals to insightful advice, always making sure homework was completed and ready for the next day.
Nothing was more important to Gina than her family and the time they shared together. They enjoyed their many trips to Europe, the western US, and Hawaii. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, antiquing, and reading.
When the kids were older, she ventured back into the world of interior design, and for a number of years she was a partner in Fresh Interiors, a home staging business, and also a furniture salesperson at Arhaus and Furniture Consignment in Natick.
In addition to her husband Stephen, Gina is survived by her children, Olivia and James; her mother Virginia Sweeney of Kingston; her siblings, Mark Sweeney of Tampa, and Anne Pilvines of Sharon; many nieces and nephews; and her extended family of friends from Holy Cross, with whom she remained in close touch. She was predeceased by her father Ralph E. Sweeney and her brother Russell Sweeney.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service for Gina in the Chapel of the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, at Natick Common on Friday, December 30th at 12 O’clock Noon. Burial will immediately follow in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.
Visiting hours are Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heifer Foundation, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202 or online at www.heiferfoundation.org.